Launde Abbey - Songs of Praise

We took ourselves off in the pouring rain to the Open Day at Launde Abbey. The main house has just been refurbished and it was being rededicated.

This turned out to be quite a big event with four bishops in attendance

John Bell was able to lead the music on his own with no instruments, although Emily Walker (Launde Abbey, musician in residence) and a few singers were on hand to help

Pam Rhodes was there for the BBC because filming was taking place for an insert into Songs of Praise on 26th June - so look out for us on the first row of chairs

Scarf, Desk, Steam

This is the birthday present that the mummy got told off for opening too early - it arrived from the other side of the world

While we are on the subject of attire, look out for news about 'the hat'

If you are following the story of the desk, then you should know that the old desk has now been taken to a new home on the other side of town. On the way over a steam whistle reminded us that, being a bank holiday weekend, there might be a special engine on the stream railway.  So we made a minor detour and found the rocket (or  if not THE rocket then at least A rocket)

SL, So Long, So Lucky

After a mere 36 years of SLog, I finally SeLected this year for my SL application.

There was the teaching observation, the teaching folder, the application form, the interview and then by a narrow margin (so I am told) the powers-that-be decided to allow my promotion to Senior Lecturer.

Deeper, wider, higher ...

The old desk was too short, 

too narrow and too low 

and may have contributed 

to the present back problems.

Likewise the old chair 

was too low and rickety. 

So the birthday afforded 

the opportunity to update both.

But oops, someone has built the desk 

in the wrong room!

Basil poses after drinking session

He (or was it she) came because he was thirsty and slurped up all the remaining water in the bird's drinking water bowl right outside the lounge window.

I was wondering whether to risk getting up to fetch a camera - I'm glad I did.

Obviously he wanted more and had to resort to the rather dirtier sunken bucket supply at the back of the garden. 

Then,
as if to say thanks,
the fox paused briefly
in the middle of the lawn
and let me take
this photo.

Craft Club - Thorpe Acre Church Centre

A new blog has been started for the Craft Club at Thorpe Acre Church Centre

Ash cloud

We have woken this morning to our own little ash cloud. It is Bank Holiday Monday and lovely bright sunshine - but as far as we can make out a factory on the Bishop Meadow estate has been burning since 10pm last night and has deposited ash all over and there is a smoke cloud and a 'bonfire' smell.

Up, up and away?

We have re-booked our balloon flight (again) but this time we are planning to depart from Stanford Hall after our 'research' visit yesterday

I hope that our balloon will look a bit more modern and safe than this museum exhibit!